Hello There...

I'm Jean and I love lots of things. One of those is family research.

This site is largely to share my own family research. You can also find me on social media where I spend my time explaining DNA Testing for Genealogy in one minute increments. I've been teaching this for 8+ years and have started two DNA special interest groups, one at GRIVA and one at FGS Tampa.

And you can find me at the Florida Genealogical Society - Tampa where I serve as Vice-President. I'm the former President of Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA.)

My Story

Genealogy Nerd - Researcher - Teacher - Enthusiast

I love to research families.

My mother asked why I was interested in her family. "They were just poor, midwestern farmers," she said. However, while my research revealed that they were indeed poor and midwestern and farmers; they weren't "just" anything. In fact, their stories are compelling.

There may be "famous" people in our trees, but I prefer the "just' people.

Just my Great Aunt Mamie who became a nun, never married and had no children. Where was she sent and what communities did she serve? Just my Grandfather Frank who lost his first wife and newborn in childbirth. He lived and died in the same town his whole life. What's his story? Just my Paternal Grandmother whom I was named after, why was she such a private person? What's her story? What about my Great Grandfather James an Irish immigrant who was involved in politics from the moment he arrived in the U.S. Where did that passionate dedication to equality come from? What's his story?

I believe in the intrinsic value of all people. My story and yours are fundamentally valuable.

I believe that our families are integral to our identities. Understanding our families - the good, the bad, and the weird - is critical to understanding ourselves.

I believe that we take our family members for granted at times. We don't give them enough credit for the lives they've lived. Their victories and successes or their challenges and hardships.

I do not take clients at his time, but I'm happy to answer any inquiry.